Staten Island Advance/ Bill LyonsMike Russell, a member of the 2009 MNid-Atlantic Region champions South Shore National, rounds third after hitting a home run Sunday.

If by some chance Mike Zaccariello had already forgotten South Shore Nationals’ magical ride to the Little League World Series last summer, he was surely reminded Sunday.

One swing of Mike Russell’s bat likely did the trick.

Russell’s first-inning, three-run homer to right center was reminiscent of SS Nationals’ power surge of a year ago. The round-tripper sent the visiting Tottenville loop on its way to an 11-0 triumph in the opening-round of the Little League District 24 tourney in Livingston.

Zaccariello fondly recalls the 2009 team’s penchant for the long ball, but, despite three round-trippers Sunday, he wasn’t ready to declare this year’s squad homer-happy.

“It’s really hard to compare the teams,” said Zaccariello, who guided SS National to within one victory of the U.S. championship and two from the overall World Series title last season. “We have good ball players every year, but (the team’s success) usually depends on how well they mesh.

“This is a different team,” added the coach. “People have to remember, we’re dealing with 12-year-olds kids, so it takes time (to see what we have).”

But with that said, Zaccariello is pleased to go to war this season with a pair of key players from last year’s team — Russell and Anthony Scotti. The duo brings a world of experience to the Nationals.

“They give us a great foundation. They’re a great nucleus,” said Zaccariello. “They weren’t bench players last season and a lot of the other guys look up to them.

“They’re not (overly) vocal, but when they do speak, the other kids are a little more attentive.”

Russell and Scotti, for what it’s worth, also lead by example. In addition to his three-run dinger, Russell finished 4 for 4 and notched the victory in Sunday’s game. Scotti led off the contest with a double.

Zaccariello, meanwhile, doesn’t want to think about a return trip to the World Series right now. In fact, the city, state and Mid-Atlantic regional titles are not even a thought, primarily because there’s too many games to be played on Staten Island.

“The Island’s a hot bed for baseball,” the coach said. “When a team gets off the Island (by winning the District 24 title), regardless of where they go, they shouldn’t be nervous or intimidated.

Staten Island Advance/ Bill LyonsAnthony Scotti, also a member of the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Region champion South Shore National team, slides into second Sunday.

“The Island has incredible teams and you have to fight just to win here.”

The 2010 version of the South Shore Nationals have already got a W under their belt and are another win away from reaching the winner’s bracket final on the Island. If they get that far, perhaps Zaccariello and company will start dreaming a bit.

“You always have high expectations,” Zaccariello said. “It’s always a great feeling when this time of year roles around and it’s exciting with a new group of talented kids.

“We run a competitive in-house (league at South Shore),” concluded the coach. “Give all the managers and coaches credit for making it that way.